Two-drum winch,with built-in reduction gear

ABSTRACT

A winch is fitted with two drums (3 and 4). The motor (6) drives the sun wheel (19) of an epicycloidal gear train. The planet-wheel carrier is integral with the shaft (5) of the drum (4) used for setting up the crane. The crown wheel (1) of the epicycloidal train is integral with the load lifting drum (3). Application: control of the erection of a crane, and then, of the lifting of the load.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,843,097 Noly Oct. 22, 1974 TWO-DRUM WINCH, WITH BUILT-IN 1,182,757 5/1916 Degerstedt 254/185 R REDUCTION GEAR 2,548,270 4/1951 Osgood 74/764 X Inventor: Jean Noly, La Clayette, France Assignee: Potain, Larue, France Filed: Aug. 2, 1972 Appl. No.: 277,329

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 9, 1971 France 7l.2979l US. Cl 254/184, 74/665 Q, 74/764, 254/185 R Int. Cl B66d 1/22 Field of Search 254/183, 184, 185 R; 74/665 Q, 764

References Cited UNITED'STATES PATENTS Dempsey 254/185 R Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner.leffrey V. Nase Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy and Neimark [5 7] ABSTRACT A winch is fitted with two drums (3 and 4).

The motor (6) drives the sun wheel (19) of an epicycloidal gear train. The planet-wheel carrier is integal with the shaft (5) of the drum (4) used for setting up the crane. The crown wheel (1) of the epicycloidal train is integral with the load lifting drum Application: control of the erection of a crane, and then, of the lifting of the load.

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures TWO-DRUM WINCH, WITH BUILT-IN REDUCTION GEAR The present invention relates to a two-drum hoistingwinch including a reduction gear, of the type used on cranes adapted to be quickly erected. .One of the drums is used for winding the lifting cable for the loads, while the other drum is used for winding the cable serving to erect the crane. In other words, one of the drums is used when the other one comes to a standstill, and vice .versa.

A hoisting winch according to the invention includes a motor actuating two winch drums, and is characterized in that the two drums are connected to the driving shaft of the motor through a differential reduction gear, while means are provided for bringing to a standstill either of the two drums, as required.

According to another feature of the invention the differential reduction gear is constituted by a train of epicycloidal pinions, the sun pinion of which is rigid with the driving shaft, while the .shaft of the planet pinion carrier is connected to one of the drums, the cage of the crown wheel of the epicycloidal train being, besides, connected to the other drum.

The locking means for the drums may be constituted by retractable bolts. As regards the drum, that used for lifting the loads, the locking bolts may be omitted, it being understood that the locking is effected by the cable wound on said drum, said cable being held fast, for instance, by the lifting hook of the crane brought into abutment.

According to a further feature of the invention, a torsion shaft connects the planet pinion carrier of the reduction gear to the drum used for the erection of the crane.

The attached drawing, given by way of non-limiting example, will allow the features of the invention to be better understood.

FIG. 1 is an axial section of a winch according to the invention for a first possible position of use;

FIG. 2 is a partial section view, showing the engagement means for the second position.

The winch illustrated in the drawing comprises:

a. a planetary reduction gear 1, the cage 2 of which is integral withthe lifting drum 3;

b. a crane setting up drum 4, rotatively driven by a torsion shaft 5 rotatively connected to the planet-wheel carrier 17 of the last train of the reduction gear, on the one hand, and to the setting up drum 4, on the other hand:

c. a driving brake-motor 6 (either electric or hydraulic), the shaft of which is connected to the sun-wheel 1 8 of the first gear train;

d. three supports 7, 8, 9, interconnected by three or four connecting rods 10; the supports 7 and 8 support the lifting drum 3 through the roller bearings 11 and 12, while the supports 8 and 9 support the setting up drum 4 through the roller bearings 13 and 14; the support 7 is also used for carrying the motor 6;

e. two bolts, 15 and 16.

The bolt 15 allows holding the lifting drum fast to the support 7.

The bolt 16 allows holding the setting up drum 4 to the support 9 fast.

The planetary reduction gear 1 comprises two crown gears 20 and 2l integral with the interior of the cage 2;

. the sun wheel 18, driven by the shaft of the motor 6, en-

gages a first planetary-reduction wheel or gear 22 between the sun wheel 18 and the crown gear 21. The first planetary reduction gear 22 in turn, through suitable connection drives a second sun wheel 19 which engages a second planetary reduction wheel 23 carried by the carrier 17 and lying between the crown gear 20 and the second sun wheel 19.

The operation is asfollows:

When the lifting drum 3 is to be used, the bolt '16 is brought to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, that is, the bolt 16 locks the setting up drum 4. The torsion shaft 5 connected to the drum 4 is thus unable to rotate, whereby the planet-wheel carrier 17 connected to the shaft 5 is held fast.

The driving motor 6 is started, and rotates the sunwheel 18 and, after reduction, the sun-wheel 19; since the planet-wheel carrier 17 is locked, the crown wheel 20 will rotate, so that said crown wheel, which is integral with the cage 2 of the reduction gear 1 connected to the lifting drum 3, will rotate the latter.

On the other hand, if the setting up drum 4 is to be used, the bolt 15 is brought to the position shown in FIG. 1 to hold the lifting drum 3 fast, while the bolt 16 is released to free the setting up drum 4.

The crown wheels 20 and 21 are held fast through the agency of the reduction gear cage and the lifting drum.

The rotation of the motor shaft causes, after reduction, the torsion shaft 5 to rotate due to the planetary movement of the second planetary reduction wheel 23 connected to its carrier 17, whereby the setting up drum 4 is rotatively driven.

In a modified embodiment, not shown, any driving means whatever may be provided (hydraulic motor, thermic or electric motor), such means being mounted parallel to the axis of the winch, so that the motion is transmitted by belts, a pulley fitted with the safety brake being mounted on the shaft driving the reduction gear.

According to a further modified embodiment, not shown, it is possible to hold the lifting drum 3 fast by means of the lifting cable of the crane, the lifting hook being then in abutment in its uppermost position against the truck of the crane jib. This arrangement makes it possible to omit the bolt 15.

I claim:

1. A hoisting winch, comprising:

a drive motor having a drive shaft;

a first and a second drum;

a differential reduction gear means connected to said motor and to said drums for causing one drum to rotate when the other is locked and vice versa, said differential reduction gear means comprising an epicycloidal train including a sun gear, a planet gear and a crown wheel wherein said sun gear is connected to said drive shaft, said planet gear is connected to said first drum and said crown wheel is connected to said second drum; and locking means for holding either of said two drums fast, whereby locking of said first drum causes said crown wheel and accordingly said second drum to rotate and locking of said second drum causes said planet gear and accordingly said first drum to rotate. 2. A hoisting winch in accordance with claim 1 further including a housing means for housing said drums and wherein said locking means comprises retractable planet gear about said sun gear causes rotation of said shaft and accordingly rotation of said tension first drum.

4. A hoisting winch in accordance with claim 3 wherein said drive shaft, said sun gear and said tension shaft all rotate about the same axis.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3.843 .097 Dated October 22 1974 Imientofls) :2 :11 NOLY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column l, line 6 after "4 insert -fast---.

line 65, delete "fast".

Collimnv 4, line 1 after "said" insert --tension--;

line 2,, delete "tension".

Signed'and sealed this 18th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest: C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks ORM -1os 1 PO 0( 0 69) v v v uscoMM-oc wan-Poo 

1. A hoisting winch, comprising: a drive motor having a drive shaft; a first and a second drum; a differential reduction gear means connected to said motor and to said drums for causing one drum to rotate when the other is locked and vice versa, said differential reduction gear means comprising an epicycloidal train including a sun gear, a planet gear and a crown wheel wherein said sun gear is connected to said drive shaft, said planet gear is connected to said first drum and said crown wheel is connected to said second drum; and locking means for holding either of said two drums fast, whereby locking of said first drum causes said crown wheel and accordingly said second drum to rotate and locking of said second drum causes said planet gear and accordingly said first drum to rotate.
 2. A hoisting winch in accordance with claim 1 further including a housing means for housing said drums and wherein said locking means comprises retractable bolts connected to said housing and retractably engagable with either said first or said second drum to secure said drum to the housing when engaged.
 3. A hoisting winch in accordance with claim 1 further including a tension shaft and a planet gear carrier connected thereto wherein said planet gear carrier is connected to said planet gear and said tension shaft is connected to said first drum whereby revolution of said planet gear about said sun gear causes rotation of said shaft and accordingly rotation of said tension first drum.
 4. A hoisting winch in accordance with claim 3 wherein said drive shaft, said sun gear and said tension shaft all rotate about the same axis. 